PLANS for the installation of a flagpole on the Wellington Town Council offices are finally coming together after a wait of more than 10 years

Scaffolding has appeared at the town council offices to repair windows and refurbish the outside of the building in Fore Street and install the long-missed fitting.

A spokesperson for Wellington Town Council said: “The flagpole is due to be installed in the next couple of weeks while we have scaffolding up for some exterior building renovation.

“We are really looking forward to being able to fly a flag from the building once again.”

Requests have been made on many occasions in recent years that the council should install a flagpole at its offices in Fore Street with members of public attending council meetings to query and reiterate the need to reinstate one after missing the ability of the town council to fly the Union flag on ceremonial occasions.

Three flagpole brackets on the former Squirrel Hotel building were removed when the old Taunton Dean Borough Council redecorated it in late 2015 before it was bought by the town council.

Planning permission was needed to have flagpole brackets re-installed on the grade two listed building, causing a delay over the years.

Members of the council’s community committee met in February 17 to agree to commission Croft Surveyors to develop detailed proposals and submit a planning application for improvements to the office building at 28-30 Fore Street.

Wellington military historian Chris Penney commented: “This has been long overdue.

“I have lost count of the number of Royal and wartime celebrations and commemorations there have been in recent years which have gone unrecognised because Wellington has not had a town centre flagpole.

“Taunton has been putting Wellington to shame with no less than three flagpoles in their town.”